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owenthebulldog
Joined: 13 Jun 2011
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 Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 6:41 am Post subject: Coming as a Tourist |
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Can someone tell me more about what a tourist visa is?
Basically, I received my CRC, have all my documents, but want to come scope out schools before committing to a 1-year deal. Several schools have already informed me (by contract) that they would re-imburse me for my flight into Korea, and I have enough money to bounce around for a month before committing to anything. One school has even offered to fly me in with no E-2 visa. How is this possible?????
Although apparently, Im going to have to go into Japan to get my E-2 visa because it cant be done as an American in Korea?
Im getting mixed information from the schools(go figure) on how exactly I will get my visa, but Im wondering, how long can I just come to South Korea for with no visa, or just a tourist visa? What do I tell immigration? Is there anything legally wrong with this? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Unless you have had a prior E2 you need to get your first E2 in your own country (in your case a Korean consulate on US soil). this means the japan visa run is NOT an option for you.
As a newbie there are so many things wrong (as compared to the negation of the potential problems with your first employer) with just jumping on a flight and "checking things out" and in most cases you come out the loser.
Do it the right way: find a job, sign a contract, get a visa, come to Korea.
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Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| I know people who have done it this way. Since the rules changed, it's rare and costly. Probably not worthwhile. |
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cert43
Joined: 17 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't know- why don't you look into getting an F Visa? |
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madoka
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| cert43 wrote: |
| Don't know- why don't you look into getting an F Visa? |
We should have a sticky warning newbies about cert43 / eb / cyui. |
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Italy37612
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Location: Somewhere
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Unless you have had a prior E2 you need to get your first E2 in your own country (in your case a Korean consulate on US soil). this means the japan visa run is NOT an option for you.
As a newbie there are so many things wrong (as compared to the negation of the potential problems with your first employer) with just jumping on a flight and "checking things out" and in most cases you come out the loser.
Do it the right way: find a job, sign a contract, get a visa, come to Korea.
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People always say this but I got my first E-2 visa from Japan. I had no problems with Kimmi and no interview. I have extended three years since then with no issues. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Italy37612 wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
Unless you have had a prior E2 you need to get your first E2 in your own country (in your case a Korean consulate on US soil). this means the japan visa run is NOT an option for you.
As a newbie there are so many things wrong (as compared to the negation of the potential problems with your first employer) with just jumping on a flight and "checking things out" and in most cases you come out the loser.
Do it the right way: find a job, sign a contract, get a visa, come to Korea.
. |
People always say this but I got my first E-2 visa from Japan. I had no problems with Kimmi and no interview. I have extended three years since then with no issues. |
Old rules (pre CPN/end of 2007). You also didn't need an apostille on your degree (photo)copy or an FBI check with an apostille back then.
The game has changed. As an American he does have the option of a visa run to Guam but it is still not cheap and most schools won't cover all of it.
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Last edited by ttompatz on Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Italy37612
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Location: Somewhere
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| Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| Italy37612 wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
Unless you have had a prior E2 you need to get your first E2 in your own country (in your case a Korean consulate on US soil). this means the japan visa run is NOT an option for you.
As a newbie there are so many things wrong (as compared to the negation of the potential problems with your first employer) with just jumping on a flight and "checking things out" and in most cases you come out the loser.
Do it the right way: find a job, sign a contract, get a visa, come to Korea.
. |
People always say this but I got my first E-2 visa from Japan. I had no problems with Kimmi and no interview. I have extended three years since then with no issues. |
Old rules. The game has changed since then.
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Ahh. I like the old rules  Sucks for the newbies. |
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Fraser
Joined: 09 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:43 am Post subject: |
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For what it's worth to Canadians on this subject, my wife is on an E2 visa for the first time and the consulate here in Vancouver didn't require an interview.
The consular official also told me if I wanted to apply for ESL jobs in Korea I would need to apply for the visa in a third country (ie. Japan). That is to say, she suggested a visa run was possible.
This can be confirmed here:
http://can-vancouver.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-vancouver/visiting/visacategories/index.jsp#e2
"New Policy (Effective April 1, 2011)
- E2 Visa applicants can apply their visa at the consulate in either their own country or any other countries
- No interview is required unless requested" |
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Fraser
Joined: 09 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:10 am Post subject: |
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For what it's worth to Canadians on this subject, my wife is on an E2 visa for the first time and the consulate here in Vancouver didn't require an interview.
The consular official also told me if I wanted to apply for ESL jobs in Korea I would need to apply for the visa in a third country (ie. Japan). That is to say, she suggested a visa run was possible.
This can be confirmed here:
http://can-vancouver.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-vancouver/visiting/visacategories/index.jsp#e2
"New Policy (Effective April 1, 2011)
- E2 Visa applicants can apply their visa at the consulate in either their own country or any other countries
- No interview is required unless requested" |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:25 am Post subject: |
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| madoka wrote: |
| cert43 wrote: |
| Don't know- why don't you look into getting an F Visa? |
We should have a sticky warning newbies about cert43 / eb / cyui. |
Seconded. |
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owenthebulldog
Joined: 13 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. I am stepping carefully, and heed the warnings. The money thing isnt a huge deal for me, so that's why I might do it this way, a luxury and a hassle simultaneously. Would be cool to see Japan for a few nights too though.
In terms of the Japan run, I consulted with the employer who offered to pay for the trip to Korea(shady to begin with without a visa), in addition to the Japan run, and was assured that these trips are actually taking place. They have 3 separate schools, and just sent an American on the same exact run last month, under very similar circumstances. I dont really know what to believe. Maybe the rules arent being enforced, or maybe there is some misinformation on our side or theirs.
Any clarity you could shine on this is appreciated Thanks guys,
Owenthebulldog |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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| owenthebulldog wrote: |
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. I am stepping carefully, and heed the warnings. The money thing isnt a huge deal for me, so that's why I might do it this way, a luxury and a hassle simultaneously. Would be cool to see Japan for a few nights too though.
In terms of the Japan run, I consulted with the employer who offered to pay for the trip to Korea(shady to begin with without a visa), in addition to the Japan run, and was assured that these trips are actually taking place. They have 3 separate schools, and just sent an American on the same exact run last month, under very similar circumstances. I dont really know what to believe. Maybe the rules arent being enforced, or maybe there is some misinformation on our side or theirs.
Any clarity you could shine on this is appreciated Thanks guys,
Owenthebulldog |
This is a typical slimy hakwon trick. They have you come over and work illegally for a few weeks to see if they like your teaching. If they do then they send you on the visa run and if not then you are shown the door. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| OP: How many of those schools are CDI? |
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isisaredead
Joined: 18 May 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| owenthebulldog wrote: |
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. I am stepping carefully, and heed the warnings. The money thing isnt a huge deal for me, so that's why I might do it this way, a luxury and a hassle simultaneously. Would be cool to see Japan for a few nights too though.
In terms of the Japan run, I consulted with the employer who offered to pay for the trip to Korea(shady to begin with without a visa), in addition to the Japan run, and was assured that these trips are actually taking place. They have 3 separate schools, and just sent an American on the same exact run last month, under very similar circumstances. I dont really know what to believe. Maybe the rules arent being enforced, or maybe there is some misinformation on our side or theirs.
Any clarity you could shine on this is appreciated Thanks guys,
Owenthebulldog |
This is a typical slimy hakwon trick. They have you come over and work illegally for a few weeks to see if they like your teaching. If they do then they send you on the visa run and if not then you are shown the door. |
apart from the fact that it's illegal, i have absolutely no problem with this. with any real job in the western world, you're expected to work for the first few weeks to prove you're not useless, and that you fit in to the work environment. i think it's called a "probationary period", or something.
i wish they'd do it here. we could easily weed through all the unbelievably lousy teachers that manage to get hagwon jobs and do nothing but abuse the position.
we're so quick to point out when employers are in the wrong in this country - but i know PLENTY of people who had no business being here in the first place. then these hagwon bosses are stuck with them, for one reason or another.
the OP sounds right on, so i wish him the best. as everyone has said, however, it's not advisable to come here on a tourist visa to scope it out, so-to-speak. |
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